Two or Three Monitors?

Hey Folks--
 
It's time for me to seriously think about upgrading my monitors. I used to work with a company that specializes in mulit-display configurations in a business setting, but I'm thinking of buying from them for my studio now.
 
The thing is, their stand configurations would make it possible for me to have 3, 21.5" monitors even though I have very limited studio space. I am completely dependent on 2 monitors, and wouldn't reduce that. I also use three monitors at my day job...but the more I think about it, the more I'm wondering what I would place on each monitor if I go with 3-- or is that overkill?
 
What are your thoughts on 3 monitors--I know it's a personal decision, but I wonder if you have a Cakewalk work-space layout that's customized for three monitors, and what is it?
 
Cheers
 
PS. I definitely can use three monitors for mastering in Wavelab--but I only spend a fraction of my time in WL compared to CW.

I really don't know how it would work for mixing, but I actually use 3 monitors (sort of) for work.  I have a 14" laptop that is almost useless except as a place to keep my email in case anything hot comes in.  I have a 27" monitor mounted on an arm directly above that, and a 32" monitor sitting to the left. 
 
That arrangement works well for me doing database programming and building analysis and reporting tools.  I really think of mine though as if I had 2 monitors that I actually do the work on, and the little tiny laptop window is just there for the emails. It is way too small for any real coding or development work.

Thanks for all the info. I should say that I'm not sure, and I'm not in the studio now, but I don't think my GPU will work with 4K--at least it won't take advantage of the full 4k resolution.
 
There should be a punch-line after I say, "My studio is so small..." but I am seriously grateful for it. It's just forced me to really plan everything out to make sure it fits, and doesn't interfere with what's most important with mixing and mastering - which of course is sound. If it wasn't for the stands from places like Digital Tigers, I probably wouldn't even be able to think about 3 decent size monitors.
 
Cheers
 

A quick thought ...
 
You could always get a big 4K with a height that matches your available horizontal space and run it in portrait, turned sideways.
 
I haven't done this with a 4K, but I have with a 21.5" 1920x1080 to view PDFs.
 
Just a thought that might save you some bux and simplify the mounting, while removing display frames.

The answer from me to the OP: It depends.
 
I think it depends on several things such as the type of monitor doubled or tripled, the size of the bezel, the aspect ratio, the distance from the sitting position, the amount of desk space you have, and distance/space available between your speakers.
 
Up until now, I ran with three monitors. One Dell U3014 30" 16:10 for my main, center display and two, older 24" 16:9 Viewsonics on each side. It worked, however, my speakers were being partially mask by the outside monitors.  My room and setup could not allow much wiggle room to push the speakers (on stands) further out and back. My desk also isn't very deep. Only 30" front to back so I couldn't push the monitor "wall" back further to get it behind--or in line--with the speakers.
 
Fast-forward to about a week ago. I found and bought a nice, used Dell U3014 for a good price.  My intention was to ditch the 3-screen setup and go with 2...two 30" 16:10 displays.  Well, the bezels on the U3014's are a bit much, when doubled, and due to the constraints of my desk and speakers, the only way I could configure them is side-by-side, directly in front of me.  It just felt awkward.  Centering one monitor and putting the other to the side was extremely awkward.  IMO, these monitors are just too big and tall to run a multi-monitor setup on a normal desk with limiting factors.
 
So I'm down to one display.  One 30" U3014.  I use Live, so flipping between Session and Arrangement views works well with one monitor anyway, so no sweat there.  However, I think I will miss the other monitors for plugins and VST's, which were frequently filling up the space on the 2nd and 3rd monitors of the previous setup.
 
 

3 27"